Who is Oscar Piastri? The latest Australian to join the F1 grid
Arguably the most exciting youngster in Australian motorsport, Oscar Piastri will make his Formula 1 debut this year.
The 21-year-old has secured a seat at McLaren for the 2023 season, replacing fellow countryman Daniel Ricciardo.
The sports news takes a look at the career of the young racing star so far.
MORE: Why Piastri is ‘not concerned’ about McLaren challenge
Highlights and career of Oscar Piastri
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Piastri started karting in 2011.
He worked his way up through divisions in Australia and Europe, notably finishing third in the Australian Karting Championship in 2015.
The following year he switched away from karting, earning a place in the UAE Formula 4 Championship and was helped by sponsorship from HP Tuners, his father’s company.
Piastri then moved to the UK to compete in the British Formula 4 Championship where he finished second in 2017.
The Australian’s first major race win came in 2019 when he was in the lead following the Formula Renault Eurocup season.
He moved up to Formula 3 in 2020, followed immediately by a move to Formula 2 in 2021. Remarkably, he won both championships.
Piastri finished his F2 season with a total of 252.5 points, 60.5 points ahead of his closest challenger Robert Shwartzman.
Notably, Zhou Guanyu finished third overall but was able to secure a seat at Alfa Romeo as a driver for the 2022 F1 season.
What role did Oscar Piastri play in Alpine?
Despite claiming a dominant championship win in F2 the year before, Piastri failed to find a spot on the F1 grid in 2022.
Instead, he was given the role of reserve driver by Alpine.
As an existing member of the Alpine Driver Academy, it was a logical fit for the young Australian.
He was on hand to fill in for one of the team’s full-time drivers – Fernando Alonso or Esteban Ocon – if they were unable to drive on a particular weekend.
He also traveled with the team to every race, attending driver briefings and being active in the team garage.
Piastri did not have to step in during the 2022 season and stopped traveling with Alpine entirely after his new contract with McLaren was confirmed for 2023.
Why did Oscar Piastri replace Daniel Ricciardo?
Piastri received a baptism of fire in the dramatic world of F1, faced with a contentious and complicated contractual situation.
In August last year, Piastri was initially announced as an Alpine driver after Fernando Alonso decided not to renew his contract and join Aston Martin in 2023.
This was publicly denied by the Australian.
“I understand that without my consent, Alpine F1 issued a press release late this afternoon that I will be driving for them next year,” Piastri wrote on social media.
“That’s wrong and I haven’t signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I won’t be driving for Alpine next year.”
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Alpine brought the matter before the Contract Recognition Board, arguing that they already had a valid contract with Piastri.
However, it was understood McLaren had secured a legal deal with Piastri and could sign their newest driver for 2023.
He replaces fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who had mutually agreed to cut his three-year contract with McLaren amid the debacle.
Who is Oscar Piastri’s manager?
Piastri will be managed by fellow Australian and former F1 driver Mark Webber.
Webber is one of the founders of JAM Sports Management, which he runs with his partner Ann.